Unistrut Anchor - educate me

[Kaizen]

I've used unistrut in many applications previuosly without issue attaching to concrete, wood, metal beams. In this case I'm attaching to rock/rubble foundation with hollow middle. This means that I cannot attach the anchors into the joints as they are not more then a few inches deep and even the new ones i just did are broken by the SDS vibrations. As I had some nice anchors in the box and the needed sds bit I put them into the granite rocks. Thought that was going to be the hard part but drilled easily.
My question is with larger anchors as shown, i can't get a ratchet onto the nut to really torque it down. I tried every one i had as well as box end and offset wrenches and the width won't get past the lip of the unistrut. I did use a few wrenches to tighten a mm at a time but wondering if there is a better tool I should have for this? I have a few more like this I want to do so figure i'd ask. My only idea is cutting and spreading the lip.

 

[rlitman]

If I needed to use an anchor like that, I would see what the largest thin-wall deep socket would fit in the unistrut, and choose a fastener with a hex that's no bigger than that.

Alternatively, you could use a socket head screw (hex or torx) in a threaded anchor, or use a longer anchor with a unistrut square washer and fasten it on top of the rail.

 

[Kaizen]

If I needed to use an anchor like that, I would see what the largest thin-wall deep socket would fit in the unistrut, and choose a fastener with a hex that's no bigger than that.

Alternatively, you could use a socket head screw (hex or torx) in a threaded anchor, or use a longer anchor with a unistrut square washer and fasten it on top of the rail.

I've only seen squre washers that mount inside that lip. Is there something else on the outside that would pull that lip in? buying new anchors is probably the way to go. just trying to use what i had as they are nice anchors.

 

[gmcgeo]

Unistrut Channel Socket

unistrutohio.com

would this work?

 

[rlitman]

I've only seen squre washers that mount inside that lip. Is there something else on the outside that would pull that lip in?...

Yes. Always sold along with the rest of Unistrut/Superstrut/Kindorf/pickyourstrut stuff. The socket is a new one to me.

Some newer versions have tabs to prevent turning.

 

[gmcgeo]

The socket is a new one to me.

Me too, saw this video just now

 

[toplessHO]

can also use a rod coupling of the same size as the nut.
Ive never had any problem with a thinwall socket

 

[Gutman]

I was watching to learn a good answer.

Having seen a solution presented, I'd dig into my scrap socket bin and do some 'doozination' with my welder to get to something that works for me.

 

[Fixr]

Crowfoot wrench might work

 

[eejack]

I use deep 9/16" sockets, assuming you are using 3/8" anchors. Any heavier of an anchor is overkill. Pretty sure they are old craftsman sockets ( old meaning 20-30 years ).

 

[1Bad55Chevy]

Unistrut Channel Socket

unistrutohio.com

would this work?

The real question is how many people on here are going to run out and buy those just to add to their "i have every socket ever made" collection!

 

[gmcgeo]

The real question is how many people on here are going to run out and buy those just to add to their "i have every socket ever made" collection!

I would end up making one myself. but i do not use Uni-strut often, so i have no need for it

 

[PopcornSutton]

Yep, smaller anchors, and use fender washers if need be.

 

[eejack]

The real question is how many people on here are going to run out and buy those just to add to their "i have every socket ever made" collection!

I use unistrut on a regular basis and never considered one of those sockets. 1/2" hardware is too much for strut. No wiggle room. 3/8" anchors, whether hollow wall or drop in or thunderbolts, work just fine.

If I am using 1/4-20 hardware I use 1/4" x 1" fender washers so I can go in through the front instead of rolling the 1 1/4" fender washer from the end.

 

[bluedog225]

The socket works great. But you need the taller strut . The sockets are not cheap, but they are uniquely suited for the job.

How can someone make a six minute video on a stupid socket? What’s wrong with people? DSE.

 

[Kaizen]

Yes. Always sold along with the rest of Unistrut/Superstrut/Kindorf/pickyourstrut stuff. The socket is a new one to me.

Some newer versions have tabs to prevent turning.

Thanks i will look for them. Might even just use rod and epoxy next go round along with these outside ones.

 

[Kaizen]

Unistrut Channel Socket

unistrutohio.com

would this work?

Yea but man that is pricey. If i did this everyday I might. Knew there had to be something out there just could not picture it.

 

[Kaizen]

I use unistrut on a regular basis and never considered one of those sockets. 1/2" hardware is too much for strut. No wiggle room. 3/8" anchors, whether hollow wall or drop in or thunderbolts, work just fine.

If I am using 1/4-20 hardware I use 1/4" x 1" fender washers so I can go in through the front instead of rolling the 1 1/4" fender washer from the end.

Yea i'll be stepping down on my next purchase. I had it all on hand so gave it a try.

 

[PoorUB]

I put up tons of strut years ago. In the OP's situation it would have been 3/8" anchors with washers. A 9/16" socket with fit in the strut. A 3/8" anchor should hold well enough for what ever the strut is holding up.

We had guys I worked with that were clueless. I saw one installer hang a 500 pound air handler with 1/2" threaded rod. Heck, 3/8" threaded rod is good for something like 2,000 pounds of pull.

I had a manager go nuts because I screwed unistrut to a ceiling in a metal building with four #12 self drilling screws. The heater weighed about 100 pounds. I had to hang from the strut and bounce to show it was strong enough and I weighed 210 pounds at the time. He was barely convinced.

 

[LXCam]

can also use a rod coupling of the same size as the nut.
Ive never had any problem with a thinwall socket

For the anchors you have in place. ******* is on the money, use some 1/2” rod couplers

 

[larry_g]

McMaster-Carr

McMaster-Carr is the complete source for your plant with over 595,000 products. 98% of products ordered ship from stock and deliver same or next day.

www.mcmaster.com

Consider socket head nuts?

 

[MovingAlong]

McMaster-Carr

McMaster-Carr is the complete source for your plant with over 595,000 products. 98% of products ordered ship from stock and deliver same or next day.

www.mcmaster.com

Consider socket head nuts?

And that is why I read threads that have nothing to do with me - learned something new today!

 

[LXCam]

Here’s a reduced rod coupler that you won’t be fighting getting a socket into the channel. This one takes a 5/8” socket and not a 3/4”.

 

[Mr onetwo]

just take a die grinder and "waller" out the strut at the anchors to fit the socket

 

[sparky 1971]

I'm gonna guess that those are 1/2" anchors and it's the 3/4 socket that won't fit. Abandon the anchors in place and use 3/8"; a 9/16 socket will fit perfectly. 1/4" would work too, but they don't always grab very well in anything that isn't newerish concrete.

 

[stockerwithalocker]

If they are 3/4” head, get a shallow 3/8” drive swivel (universal) socket. Might have to cut the extra length of the stud since it’s a shallow socket. I use an old v series craftsman, and i think there are shallow mac sockets that work as well.

 

[BillK]

If those are 3/8" anchors you should be able to get 3/8" nuts with reduced wrench size heads. They are available for most thread sizes.

 

[LXCam]

If those are 3/8" anchors you should be able to get 3/8" nuts with reduced wrench size heads. They are available for most thread sizes.

9/16” socket will fit inside strut all day. 3/4”, not so much.

 

[FullRaceMerc]

i can't get a ratchet onto the nut to really torque it down.

Are you tightening them to expand the anchor, or just hold the unistrut?

If it's to expand the anchor, remove the strut & use a washer while you tighten the nuts & expand the anchors. Then when you remove the nuts & attach the strut most of the tightening is already done.

If it's just to hold the strut, please excuse me while I back out of here sheepishly.

 

[Kaizen]

Are you tightening them to expand the anchor, or just hold the unistrut?

If it's to expand the anchor, remove the strut & use a washer while you tighten the nuts & expand the anchors. Then when you remove the nuts & attach the strut most of the tightening is already done.

If it's just to hold the strut, please excuse me while I back out of here sheepishly.

The strange thing about having them in solid granite is they don't seem to "set" like they do into concrete. Even after torquing them down, if the hole was not bottomed out and i tapped on the anchor they would loosen up. I've had them spin before but never do this. So they are kind of doing both. At this point they are in constant tension.

 

[Kaizen]

can also use a rod coupling of the same size as the nut.
Ive never had any problem with a thinwall socket

So remove the current nut and use the rod coupler as the nut right?

 

[LXCam]

So remove the current nut and use the rod coupler as the nut right?

Yes, that’s the point.

 

[brit vet]

I've owned these for longer than I care to remember. These are 1/2" well in my case, 13mm and fit inside deep strut no problem.

 

[brit vet]

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